The Windows 10 Eye-Tracking Initiative
Eye tracking is finding new footholds and applications everyday, and now major companies are taking notice. Microsoft has taken steps to further streamline the use of eye-tracking technology with their new Windows 10 eye-tracking initiative. Read on to learn more, and invest in your own technology with an eye tracking bundle from Gazepoint.
What’s New With Windows
Microsoft’s Windows 10 operating system now supports eye-tracking technology. Users can connect an eye tracker similar to the Gazepoint GP3 and the system will recognize the tracking software. Users can then enable eye tracking and eye control in the system settings.
What You Can Do
Windows Eye Control allows users to operate their computer through eye tracking similar to how one might with a mouse, from typing to browsing the internet. Simply connect a supported eye tracking system, activate eye control, and you can harness the movement of your eyes and your fixations for effective navigation.
Mouse Control
There is no need for a mouse or motor control with Windows’ ability to connect with eye tracking hardware and software. Once activated, the Eye Control menu includes options for users to left click, right click, scroll, and more using the movements of their eyes. There is also an option to pause eye tracking if the user is reading a webpage or watching a video and doesn’t want the tracker to misinterpret their gaze and accidentally open links, pause the video, etc.
Keypad Control
The Eye Control menu option includes a pop-up keyboard that can be activated whether the user is engaging with a computer tower and monitor or a tablet. Rather than depending on a keyboard for text, Microsoft takes input from the eye tracker and translates each fixation into a keystroke. This keyboard option is essentially identical to what a user would use to type on a tablet running Windows.
Text-to-Speech
Windows 10 Eye Control comes free with text-to-speech software. The menu bar includes a chat option where a user can type in words and phrases that the program will then read out loud. This program also comes equipped with predictive text for faster conversations.
Motor Control
Microsoft has now made it possible to use eye tracking to control vehicles and devices as well. A tablet can be equipped to operate a motorized vehicle with a virtual joystick, or it can be configured to drive a remote control vehicle for a more playful experience. These developments were inspired by Microsoft’s collaboration with members of the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) community.
Why Eye Tracking Matters
Eye tracking is important, life-changing technology for people with disabilities, and Windows Eye Control opens the door for more individuals to access it than ever. For people with limited mobility, such as those with ALS, it can be difficult to near impossible to participate in daily activities like chatting with friends or browsing the internet. Tools like Eye Control and Gazepoint eye-tracking hardware put those capabilities into their hands, and this move by Microsoft encourages developers and manufacturers to further explore the possibilities of eye tracking and human-computer interactions.
Gazepoint wholly supports Microsoft’s move to further accept and encourage eye-tracking technology, and we believe our part in the movement is offering research-grade eye-tracking hardware and software at consumer price points. Explore what we have to offer and order your eye tracker today!
